Andrew Jackson Birth March 15, 1767; Death June 8, 1845 7th President of the United States Party: Democrat Terms: March 4, 1829 – March 4, 1837 Vice President: John C. Calhoun; Martin Van Buren
One of Jackson’s most notable moves as president was the institution of a protective tariff of foreign manufacturing. The tariff was meant to encourage domestic manufacturing and build a strong country that could stand on its own. Jackson’s economic policy was the only one in history able to eliminate the national debt, if only for a little while, but this home-based economic policy failed to advance America on the international stage. This north-favoring tariff inflamed the south and led to a domestic conflict leading to the Civil War. Jackson favored domestic advancement over foreign relations, lacking a development of globalization. Although Andrew Jackson’s administration is often criticized, he was strong in his beliefs and unwilling to relent to self-minded politicians. For this reason, Jackson was able to make tough decisions that could have been easily swayed if he was not so sound in his judgment. For this firm decision in favor of the people, Jackson earned a B+. Although he made many great decisions and led in favor of the people, his decisions could often be seen as rash and ill thought out. Nonetheless, Jackson better America and kept her rolling. In his inaugural address, Jackson outlined his plans for his presidency as such: enforce the laws of the United States, maintain foreign and domestic relationships, manage the economy, lead military, and promote the general opinion of the people. These points are a very accurate foreshadowing of the outcome of Jackson’s presidency. He used the extent of his power to do what he thought would help his country. These decisions were made through many of the points listed above. Jackson’s relationship with Congress could certainly be described as complicated. Jackson used his power to veto quite liberally. He denied a congressional bill a dozen times throughout his two terms. This ‘abuse’ of power led to some friction between the two powers. Many people saw this amount of power in the hands of one man as a relapse of dictatorial power. Jackson’s decision to veto the re-charter of the national bank was one of these clashes of power. It turned out that his presidential power of veto was enough to prevent the bank from continuing. Jackson also replaced the majority of his cabinet, giving himself a great deal more power. This contrasted with the prior expectation of the president. For these reasons, Jackson had a rough relationship with his Congress. Jackson’s protective tariff, although leading to a deepening of the sectionalism in America at the time, turned out to be quite beneficial for the country as a whole. As previously stated, Jackson was the only president to ever clear the national debt completely. Although giving the south the short end of the stick, there was still room for economic prosper and growth of the nation as a whole. The reaction of the south to the tariff was quite bold. But Jackson’s response, especially to that of North Carolina, proved to put an end to any defiance. Jackson left a mark with this establishment. The clash of rapidly expanding America and the native peoples that inhabited the land west of the original colonies led to Jackson’s removal of the natives from their native lands. This decision may seem rash at first but in reality, the people were moving into the lands of the natives and the result would have to be integration of societies or a conflict. Seeing as the natives were slow to assimilate into society, Jackson took precautionary measures and moved the natives to a place where they could live in peace and (hopefully) be integrated into the American society at a later time. Nonetheless, this decision resulted in hostility between the natives and the American people. Jackson’s decision to relocate the Native Americans without their conference could have been more carefully orchestrated in order to keep relations as friendly as possible. This deterioration of relationship detracted from Jackson’s rating. A decision that the Jackson administration made that affected future administrations was the closing of the national bank. By removing federal funds from the bank and revoking its charter, Jackson made a decision that would affect many presidents after him. Jackson made his decision on two foundations: he saw the bank as unconstitutional and a monopoly. This decision to invest federal funds in the western ‘wildcat’ banks was risky and controversial. It led to a great divide in national politics. This divide was yet another splinter in a nation that was beginning to take sides and clash over political ideology. Jackson’s ‘murder’ of the national bank was destined to shift the standings of the country. It is clear to see that Andrew Jackson was stern-minded and led with a noble sense of authority. He would never take no for an answer when his people’s way of life was at stake. Although creating the grounds for a number of future clashes, Jackson left the country on good terms at the end of his presidency. He may not have been a lovable figure during his administration but in the end, he earned his B+.
DeGregorio, William A.. "Andrew Jackson." The Complete Book of US Presidents. 4. ed., rev., expanded and up-dated ed. Fort Lee: Barricade Books, 1994. 105-120. Print.
Birth March 15, 1767; Death June 8, 1845
7th President of the United States
Party: Democrat
Terms: March 4, 1829 – March 4, 1837
Vice President: John C. Calhoun; Martin Van Buren
One of Jackson’s most notable moves as president was the institution of a protective tariff of foreign manufacturing. The tariff was meant to encourage domestic manufacturing and build a strong country that could stand on its own. Jackson’s economic policy was the only one in history able to eliminate the national debt, if only for a little while, but this home-based economic policy failed to advance America on the international stage. This north-favoring tariff inflamed the south and led to a domestic conflict leading to the Civil War. Jackson favored domestic advancement over foreign relations, lacking a development of globalization.
Although Andrew Jackson’s administration is often criticized, he was strong in his beliefs and unwilling to relent to self-minded politicians. For this reason, Jackson was able to make tough decisions that could have been easily swayed if he was not so sound in his judgment. For this firm decision in favor of the people, Jackson earned a B+. Although he made many great decisions and led in favor of the people, his decisions could often be seen as rash and ill thought out. Nonetheless, Jackson better America and kept her rolling.
In his inaugural address, Jackson outlined his plans for his presidency as such: enforce the laws of the United States, maintain foreign and domestic relationships, manage the economy, lead military, and promote the general opinion of the people. These points are a very accurate foreshadowing of the outcome of Jackson’s presidency. He used the extent of his power to do what he thought would help his country. These decisions were made through many of the points listed above.
Jackson’s relationship with Congress could certainly be described as complicated. Jackson used his power to veto quite liberally. He denied a congressional bill a dozen times throughout his two terms. This ‘abuse’ of power led to some friction between the two powers. Many people saw this amount of power in the hands of one man as a relapse of dictatorial power. Jackson’s decision to veto the re-charter of the national bank was one of these clashes of power. It turned out that his presidential power of veto was enough to prevent the bank from continuing. Jackson also replaced the majority of his cabinet, giving himself a great deal more power. This contrasted with the prior expectation of the president. For these reasons, Jackson had a rough relationship with his Congress.
Jackson’s protective tariff, although leading to a deepening of the sectionalism in America at the time, turned out to be quite beneficial for the country as a whole. As previously stated, Jackson was the only president to ever clear the national debt completely. Although giving the south the short end of the stick, there was still room for economic prosper and growth of the nation as a whole. The reaction of the south to the tariff was quite bold. But Jackson’s response, especially to that of North Carolina, proved to put an end to any defiance. Jackson left a mark with this establishment.
The clash of rapidly expanding America and the native peoples that inhabited the land west of the original colonies led to Jackson’s removal of the natives from their native lands. This decision may seem rash at first but in reality, the people were moving into the lands of the natives and the result would have to be integration of societies or a conflict. Seeing as the natives were slow to assimilate into society, Jackson took precautionary measures and moved the natives to a place where they could live in peace and (hopefully) be integrated into the American society at a later time. Nonetheless, this decision resulted in hostility between the natives and the American people. Jackson’s decision to relocate the Native Americans without their conference could have been more carefully orchestrated in order to keep relations as friendly as possible. This deterioration of relationship detracted from Jackson’s rating.
A decision that the Jackson administration made that affected future administrations was the closing of the national bank. By removing federal funds from the bank and revoking its charter, Jackson made a decision that would affect many presidents after him. Jackson made his decision on two foundations: he saw the bank as unconstitutional and a monopoly. This decision to invest federal funds in the western ‘wildcat’ banks was risky and controversial. It led to a great divide in national politics. This divide was yet another splinter in a nation that was beginning to take sides and clash over political ideology. Jackson’s ‘murder’ of the national bank was destined to shift the standings of the country.
It is clear to see that Andrew Jackson was stern-minded and led with a noble sense of authority. He would never take no for an answer when his people’s way of life was at stake. Although creating the grounds for a number of future clashes, Jackson left the country on good terms at the end of his presidency. He may not have been a lovable figure during his administration but in the end, he earned his B+.
Bibliography
"Andrew Jackson." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Jackson>.
"Andrew Jackson: Inaugural Address." The American Presidency Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=25810#axzz1bkXl6VdO>.
DeGregorio, William A.. "Andrew Jackson." The Complete Book of US Presidents. 4. ed., rev., expanded and up-dated ed. Fort Lee: Barricade Books, 1994. 105-120. Print.